Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation's Podcast

This podcast is excerpted from Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation's live streamed worship service on June 7, 2020. At this time of deep anguish and greater awareness of racism, our community needs to listen to Black voices in our midst. UTUUC members Marsha Borders, Aisha Ellis and Michael Weekes share poignantly from their experiences.  The theme for June is what it means to be a pe...

This podcast is excerpted from Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation's live stream of a worship service on May 31, 2020. Sometimes we take courage and strength from our very own stories, our very own histories that tell us something about who we are and what we are capable of. Sometimes we take those same things from stories of those who have come before. Minister of Faith Development R...

This podcast is excerpted from Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation's live stream of a worship service on May 24, 2020. Reflecting on the thresholds of trauma and healing, Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor explores a sensations-based approach to dealing with wounds that we cannot see. Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage reflects on scars that we have on the outside and inside...

This podcast is excerpted from Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation's live stream of a worship service on May 17, 2020. For Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage, we're kind of in that "I don't think this is ever going to end" phase of sheltering in place... Every day feels the same and it still seems strange and new at the same time. For me, finding old favorite things that ha...

This service from May 10, 2020 was created and presented by the Unity Temple Youth Group as part of the high school seniors' Bridging Ceremony. Youth Coordinator Justine Urbikas introduces the service. The graduating seniors then give their bridging talks followed by remarks from Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage and Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor. In order, the seniors speaking are...

This podcast is excerpted from Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation's live stream of a worship service on May 3, 2020. We are currently navigating through a significant threshold and it's not clear what's on the other side. Rev. Emily Gage  reflects on how thresholds are like doorways into important places and Rev. Alan Taylor explores how this  is a time to identify what is essential...

This worship service from April 26, 2020 was created and presented by participants in our Coming of Age program. These ninth graders spent the year exploring their Unitarian Universalist identity, history, spirituality, their feelings and their beliefs. Their work culminates in this worship service where each delivers a personal credo statement that they have developed. Minister of Faith Developme...

This podcast is excerpted from Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation's live stream of a worship service on April 19, 2020. Reflecting on the growing ecological awareness and our capacity to know ourselves as pieces of the earth conscious of itself, Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor reflects on the extraordinary story of the original Earth Day and how we Unitarian Universalists can mobili...

This podcast is excerpted from Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation's live stream of a worship service on April 12, 2020. On this Easter morning and fourth day of Passover, Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage explores the stories of this sacred time, and Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor reflects on how Easter happens every day.  The theme for April is what it means to be a pe...

This podcast is excerpted from Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation's live stream of a worship service on April 5, 2020. Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor and Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage reflect on how we create new opportunities for our spirit during this challenging time. Rev. Gage reminds us to be kind to ourselves and each other. For the safety of all in light of t...

This podcast is excerpted from Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation's live stream of a worship service on March 29, 2020. Rev. Alan Taylor and Rev. Emily Gage reflect on how we ground ourselves in love during this challenging time, and Rev. Alan reflects on conversations he has had with medical professionals and their families.  The theme for March is what it means to be a people of wi...

This podcast is excerpted from Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation's live stream of a worship service on March 22, 2020. How is it with your soul? How goes the rhythm of your days? Rev. Alan Taylor and Rev. Emily Gage provide reflections on how to navigate this challenging time, particularly remembering that in these tender moments, love is our guide, always, shepherding us towards wa...

This podcast is excerpted from Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation's live stream of a worship service on March 15, 2020. As we practice social distancing, how do we respond as a community? Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor and Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage share responses to this anxious time as the spread of COVID-19 prevents us from worshipping in person. The theme fo...

Reflections delivered in this Chalice Ceremony for 4th graders delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on March 8, 2020. Following an address to the participants by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor, Rev. Gage offers further thoughts on mountains, roller coasters, and how to navigate life. The theme for March is what it means to be a people of wisdom. To read about our theme-base...

Sermon delivered by Rev. Brian Sauder on March 1, 2020. Rev. Sauder explores how we, as "salt of the earth," can seek to solve our climate crisis from a perspective of justice.  Rev. Brian Sauder serves Faith in Place as the President & Executive Director ( www.faithinplace.org ). He was the Policy Director and organizer of the Springfield office until Rev. Clare Butterfield resigned in 2015. The...

Sermon delivered by Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey on February 23, 2020. Rev. Dr. Lightsey dynamically reflects on what the story of Esther has to teach us about "such a time as this." The Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey serves at Meadville Lombard Theological School, that prepares Unitarian Universalist ministers, as the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and Associate Professor of Constructive T...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on February 16, 2020 Rev. Taylor reflects on his second visit to refugees in Matamoros, taking heart amidst disappointment. The theme for February is what it means to be a people of resilience. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.unitytemple.org/faith.

Sermon delivered by Minister of Faith Development Rev. Emily Gage on February 9, 2020. A sermon on small and big worries, resilience, and our propensity to take "flying leaps at nonsensical unreasonable ideas like marriage and marathons and democracy and divinity." (Thanks, Brian Doyle.) The theme for February is what it means to be a people of resilience. To read about our theme-based ministry, p...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on February 2, 2020. Many of life's challenges push us beyond what we had previously thought ourselves capable. This podcast includes readings by Howard Thurman and Maya Angelou that precede Rev. Taylor's sermon that explores the resilience of individuals and communities.  The theme for February is what it means to be a people of resilience. To...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on January 26, 2020. Faith Testimonial by Alex Kapitan, co-founder of the Transforming Hearts Collective which supports spaces for LGBTQ people to access resilience, healing and spirituality, and supports congregations in the work of radical inclusion and culture shift. Alex shares per story of growing up Unitarian Universalist and what ze is lo...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor on January 19, 2020. Reflecting on Dr. King's vision of the Beloved Community, Rev. Taylor explores the the work of Bryan Stevenson (Just Mercy), the ramifications of facing up to our nation's history of racism and terrorism towards people of color, and Stevenson's prescription to bring forth a society that provides justice, equity, and compassi...

Sermon delivered by Rev. Karen Mooney on January 12, 2020. Hear how building brave spaces differs from creating safe spaces and why that is the work we need to do to be truly welcoming to all. Rev. Mooney works with the Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministries of Illinois as they seek to bring UU faith and worship to incarcerated people. She is honored to offer circles of care for those living in...

Sermon delivered by Rev. Allison Farnum on January 5, 2020. Rev. Farnum examines personal integrity through the lens of discernment as a way to start the new year. Rev. Allison Farnum is a Unitarian Universalist minister, returned to the Chicago area from eleven years serving her first call at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers, Florida. She is currently serving as Adjunct Consultant...

Sermon delivered by Rev. Allison Farnum on December 29, 2019. Rev. Farnum is a Unitarian Universalist minister, returned to the Chicago area from eleven years serving her first call at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers, Florida. She is currently serving as Adjunct Consultant for our UUA's MidAmerica Region as she discerns how best she may next fulfill her call to serve the Spirit of...

Sermon delivered by Senior Minister Rev. Alan Taylor at the 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve worship service on December 24, 2019. Rev. Taylor reflects on the promises of the Season. The theme for December is what it means to be a people of awe. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit  http://www.unitytemple.org/faith.